NORTH ATTLEBORO – A crowd gathered on a hot and humid Friday morning to mark the official start of the new North Attleboro High School replacement project.
School officials described it as history in the making, complete with town and state officials, educators, and community members gathered for the event.
The “beautifully executed celebration” off Landry Avenue was made even more special by a stunning rainbow over the construction site earlier in the morning, they said.
This $288 million project, say officials, is all about the bright future ahead for local students.
Officials have said this project will take three years, with site work gearing up this summer. The bulk of construction work from Consigli Construction will happen from this fall through the summer of 2028, and the existing high school would be demolished prior to move-in. Students are expected to enter the building by the start of the 2028 school year.
Numerous community forums have been held since voters last June overwhelmingly approved a tax hike to fund construction of a new high school, with 62 percent in favor.
The owner of a home valued at $500,000 will see a tax increase of $850, officials said at the time.
The new all-electric and geothermal-powered high school will serve more than 1,000 students and cover nearly 227,000 square feet on 72 acres. Parking will be expanded from 667 spaces to 766 spaces, and there will be new athletic fields, separate entrances for the high school and middle school, and numerous other additions.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority is covering about $107 million of the cost on the project.
Officials say they will keep the community updated on everything residents and families need to know as work proceeds.
